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Jammu, June 01: Natrangโs Summer Theatre Camp for Children 2025, a highly anticipated and professionally organized event in the region, was inaugurated on Sunday at Natrang Studio Theatre, Jammu, with the traditional lamp lighting by Director Padmashri Balwant Thakur.
The camp meets international standards in its activities, expert faculty, and structured program. Participants will receive exceptional exposure; for instance, on June 2, the children will watch Natrangโs acclaimed play โSainyan Bhaye Kotwalโ at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu. Such rare opportunities enhance the learning experience. Balwant Thakur, with international experience in over 100 countries and training from renowned centers like Oxford Summer School and Cambridge Children Theatre, designed the program module.
Natrangโs childrenโs program emphasizes social, emotional, and self-development, critical thinking, public speaking, empathy, and cognitive growth. The 2025 camp will be led by National Award-winning director Sumeet Sharma, along with Neeraj Kant, Gauri Thakur, and Balwant Thakur conducting sessions.
Since its inception in 1990, Natrangโs Children Theatre Wing has regularly conducted summer, spring, and winter theatre workshops, training over 5,000 children, many now successful professionals. Theatre is seen as a powerful tool for transforming individuals to excel in various fields.
Summer vacations are dedicated to childrenโs theatre, providing a continuous, creative, and fun environment for personality grooming and skill development. Every year, the camp concludes with a full-length play created and performed by the participants for public audiences, showcasing their talents.
The training module, designed by Padmashri Balwant Thakur, has helped spread Jammuโs childrenโs theatre across India. His productions like โMere Hisse Ki Dhoop Kahan Haiโ, โAap Hamare Hain Kaunโ, and โUdaanโ are considered landmarks in Indian childrenโs theatre, with โAap Hamare Hain Kaunโ also staged internationally in multiple languages.
The workshop focuses on building communication skills, public speaking, and confidence using advanced theatre techniques developed by Sumeet Sharma, who has over 25 years of experience working with children. The program is regularly updated with input from top professionals and offers expert guidance.
Besides theatre, the camp also includes allied arts such as cartooning, yoga, visual arts, and dance to provide a holistic creative experience for the children.
